At the transition zone, I jumped off my bike and my legs, still used to moving from the pedals got me started on my run. I have never immediately started running after getting off the bike, but it was an interesting feeling. My legs seemed to move as if I was still pedalling. I was definitely running faster than my legs wanted to, but they were used to that motion and continued to move quickly despite me trying to slow them down.

I got tired quickly on the run and despite my goal always being to run the whole way, I had to walk. Briefly, I walked in order to catch my breath which was heavy from the swim, the bike, and the breakfast burrito I had eaten earlier that morning. I caught my breath fairly quickly and was able to do sporadic bursts of runs in between my walks.

The run was hillier than the bike ride was. Steep elevation changes occurred throughout the run, making it difficult to catch my breath and run the entire course. I ran through the train station and onto the road which would lead me to the hospital my brother was staying at.

I wanted to run by the hospital and pound on his window, letting him know that I had ran right past him, but it was out of the way and I couldn’t be certain that I would be pounding on the wrong window and disturbing someone who might be seriously ill. As I ran past the hospital, my Mom was outside cheering me on.

I pushed forward up the enourmous hill and once I reached the top, I knew I was at the home stretch. The rest of the race was downhill and I was able to fly. I let my legs take over and I ran as fast as I could down the final straightaway when I heard my name through the speakers, announcing everyone of my presence.

My Dad and sister were there waiting for me at the finish line. The race was complete. But somehow it felt incomplete. The other Running Brother was not there. It has always been a great feeling for me to cheer my brother on after I have beaten him and I was looking forward to doing it again. But, he was in the hospital.

After the race, we quickly gathered our things and went to visit our brother at the hospital. I was eager to tell him everything I had done and everything he had missed out on.

Dripping wet, I jogged to the transition zone and planted myself next to my bike. I quickly dried off my feet with a towel, put on my socks and shoes, and strapped on my helmet.

I took my Cannondale bicycle and headed for the starting station of the bike ride and away I went.

My breathing was heavy and my heart was racing. The beginning of the bike ride was going smoothly, I was continually passing bicyclists through the streets of San Luis Obispo. Very quickly, I found myself on Orcutt Road and knew I was going to be in trouble. Orcutt Road is not flat. The road continually goes up and down for miles with steep up and down slopes.

By this time, I have realized that the bike is probably the weekest part of the triathlon for me and these steep hills were going to be a problem.

On mile 3, I approached this huge hill and thought I was going to have to get off my bike to walk it up the hill. I resisted the urge and continued to peddle strongly until I made it to the top and coasted down the hill. For 15 miles it was a long bike ride going up and down hills and I was getting passed by many bike riders, but I think all in all I passed just as many bike riders as who had passed me.

Nothing made me happier than to reach the transition zone. My legs were tired from pedalling and I was starting to think eating a breakfast burrito before the race was not the best idea.

When we came to try on shoes at A Snail’s Pace, you had us get on a device that analyzed our feet. Can you tell us more about that?

First we place them on a foot pressure analysis device to measure their foot length, arch type, and even metatarsal pressure. After that we bring out a neutral test shoe that is one-half or even one size bigger than the machine said to allow room for swelling and downhill running. Once they have the neutral shoe on we watch them run down the center of the store and we look at the amount of over pronation of each foot stride, meaning where the person is pushing off of their foot. This helps us decide what three or four shoes will be best for the individual whether a neutral shoe is best or even stability or motion control.

What are your greatest memories involving working at A Snail’s Pace?

There are many but two great stories come to mind…

The first is about a guy who came into the store about a year ago and he had told me he was not training for anything he just wanted to lose some weight, so I fit him for the shoes I thought were best and about a week ago he came back in and I did not even recognize him, he had lost so much weight. And being the outgoing person I am I asked him if he had shopped with us before and his wife told me that I was the one to fit him for his first pair of running shoes and he also thanked me for helping him lose 125 pounds, he said I “helped changed his life.”

The second was when The Running Brothers came in and brightened my day with their goofy jokes and love for exercising and running together.

What did you think of The Running Brothers when you met them?

When I first met the Running Brothers I had asked them if they had ever been told that they looked like the Step Brothers. As promised I watched their video right after work and proceeded to show my friends it was very entertaining, I believe I watched the first one. My favorite part was the graphics included throughout the clip.

Running = 25 miles
Biking = 80 miles
Swimming = 5000 M or 3 miles
Total Amount: 108 miles

Overall Amount:

Running = 414 miles (1 miles to San Francisco)
Biking = 1,360 miles (1,410 miles to New York)
Swimming = 101,000 meters or 59 miles (49 miles to San Diego)
Total = 1,743 miles (1,027 miles to New York)

I am an avid runner and have been since I was 11 years old, however I have also have been a running coach since I was 15 so I am able to see both aspects.

How has running impacted your life?

While currently I work at a running store, this has enabled me to look at the technology of running, and now I can truly be called a well-rounded runner. Running has caused me multiple injuries, such as stress fractures, however it has made me a stronger person and athlete. It has even led me to my desired occupation of physical therapy, with the countless hours spent in the physical therapist’s office I was able to realize what a life changing occupation this can be.

Do you have any experience biking and swimming?

As for biking and swimming I would participate in these activities when I was injured, so they have helped me along my journey as well.

What’s your greatest memory involving running?

My greatest memory of running would have to be my freshman year in high school when my high school team took 5th in State for Cross Country.

What types of events do you run in?

The events I have competed in have all been longer distances in track, in high school it was the 1600 and 3200, in college it has been the 5000; along with competing in local 5k’s to keep in shape in the off-season. My favorite one however would have to be the Claremont 4th of July 5k.

Do you have any advice for us when it comes to running?

Keep up the hard work and never give up, training is key as well, start early, set a goal and go for it.

My name is Katie Lowrie and I attend Cal State Fullerton while majoring in Kinesiology. I also run Cross Country and Track for the School and work for A Snail’s Pace Running Shop in Brea. I enjoy running on the beach and on trails around the city so I am able to enjoy my surroundings while exercising. I also enjoy babysitting and photography and on day hope to become a pediatric physical therapist. My family is also very important to me, I have one younger brother Michael and a younger sister Emily who are also competitive runners, we definitely make running a family affair. Michael is 13 years old and can run laps around me, he keeps me motivated to keep on improving, while my sister Emily finds great joy in running and she inspires me to enjoy what I do and make sure that I am doing it for the right reasons.

Running = 24 miles
Biking = 78 miles
Swimming = 5000 M or 3 miles
Total Amount: 105 miles

Overall Amount:

Running = 389 miles (26 miles to San Francisco)
Biking = 1,280 miles (1,490 miles to New York)
Swimming = 96,000 meters or 56 miles (52 miles to San Diego)
Total = 1,635 miles (1,135 miles to New York)

The Running Brothers are returning to their roots. We started our running in one of our favorate Cities, San Luis Obispo. You can read our previous running advantures in SLO, all the way back in December.

That was our first real training day and I think we have come alot. Now we are going back for our second triathalon. The 32nd Annnual SLO Triathalon will be on July 24, 2011 and the running brothers will be there ready to run, bike and swim.

You may have read that our family has a pretty close connection to San Luis Obispo. Our mother grew up in SLO, our father attended the California Scholastic Press Association Workshop and subseqently lead for work show for nearly 30 years. Our parents meet at that workshop at the California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. My brother, Sister and I all attended the workshop. Our family made regular trips to SLO to see our family. So needless to say SLO has a special place in our hearts.

If you want to join us let us know, if you want to make the drive or are a local and want to cheer us on that would be fantastic.